STRATUM – Towards a National Soil Monitoring Network

The STRATUM project aims to develop a potential framework for a national soil strategy and monitoring programme for Ireland, in response to the upcoming EU Soil Monitoring Law. STRATUM is focused on agricultural and forestry soils. The project will be delivered through a combination of desk-based analysis and a co-design process involving expert consultation and stakeholder engagement.

Outputs will be delivered to DAFM for consideration for a national soil strategy and monitoring programme. The project team has extensive experience in providing technical input and insights to policy instruments and engaging with policy makers in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment on policy.

Aims and Objectives

• Undertaking a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing and current soil data, information and surveys.
• Employing a spatial analysis approach to simulate potential sampling networks of sites, representative of agricultural and forest soils in Ireland. Identifying knowledge gaps and research priorities and actions to deliver on current and future policy requirements.
• Facilitating a series of workshops to co-design the national soil monitoring strategy and programme for Ireland by leveraging expertise of sectoral experts and stakeholders.
• The project will deliver a final report to DAFM.